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Trend
x86 operating systems go 64-bit
64-bit computing on the x86 platform offers better performance
and scalability. Vertika Yadav examines the technology.
64-bit computing is not a new concept, and has been around for almost a decade,
but Microsoft’s launch of x64 editions of Windows Server 2003 and Windows
XP has caused a stir in the market. What is exciting about the launch is that
the most popular operating system is now on a 64-bit architecture, thereby bringing
64-bit computing to the mainstream. Previously, customers who bought computers
with the AMD64 processors had to rely on Linux-based operating systems and other
specialised programs.
“While the Windows Server 64-bit runs only on 64-bit processors, the x64
edition offers customers high performance for both 32-bit and 64-bit applications
on the same system, thus providing users the choice of upgrading the hardware
platform as per their IT roadmap,” says Amit Kumar, Product Manager, Microsoft.
There was a clear demarcation between 64-bit workstations and 32-bit PCs, but
all that changed when AMD introduced its 645 multi-core processors which could
support programs written for 32-bit as well as those written for 64-bit.
In terms of 64-bit computing technology, the focus is on
multi-core processors. The latest processors from Intel and AMD have two CPU
cores on one chip. Today’s processors use a 32-bit word, which means they
can address up to 32 bytes of memory, or 4 GB, for everything, including operating
systems, drivers and applications. Moving to 64-bit means the processor uses
a 64-bit word, and can address up to 64 bytes or 18 exabytes (4 billion gigabytes)
of memory, which means a whole lot of memory for all the applications possible.
Also, these new processors feature faster CPU-to-memory buses, as is the case
of AMD. It has a hypertransport bus technology and integrated memory controller
which enable its cores to communicate to memory via a bi-directional, internal,
full-duplex 2 GHz hypertransport link.
64-bit OS at work
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The only hitch in moving from 32- to 64-bit
computing is that programs need to be rewritten and recompiled in order
to take full advantage of 64-bit computing
Anil Valluri
Country Director
Client Solutions Organisation
Sun Microsystems India
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Recent introductions from Intel and AMD of 64-bit processors
for desktop computers and servers implies a major architecture shift. The lower-end
64-bit processors are more efficient than relatively high-powered 32-bit processors.
Moreover, additional addressable memory and faster connections to memory in
a 64-bit processor results in more work that can be done interactively.
“Today, businesses are interested in lowering the total
cost of ownership of their IT systems, and getting better performance, scalability
and price-performance from their server infrastructure. 64-bit computing is
an important technology to deliver those things,” informs Kumar, adding,
“Some verticals that are emerging as early adopters of 64-bit computing
are gaming, manufacturing, digital media, professional services and BFSI.”
Multi-core processors mean that processors can share the
load and allow more efficient multi-tasking without crashing the system. Digital
content developers would benefit from 64-bit computing. Similarly, CAD operators
can work with the entire model rather than page in and out of memory, and video
editors can see their effects in real-time. Imaging professionals can work with
larger images, multiple layers and multiple filters without slowing down the
system. Digital content creators can expect to spend more time creating and
less time waiting for the system to run applications.
Users who are pushing the limits of their 32-bit systems will see a difference
when they move to a system with a 64-bit processor and a complementary operating
system. Also, the real benefit will come only if the applications written can
take advantage of the 64-bit code.
| Advantages of 64-bit computing |
- The main advantages of 64-bit are faster computing
and lower cost of ownership. Application performance on the 64-bit platform
is 159 percent greater than on a similarly-configured 32-bit server—more
than enough processing power to support increased sales growth and new
business initiatives for the next few years.
- Computers with 64-bit processors can run database
and other business applications faster, manage larger data files and
databases, allow more concurrent users and applications to access data,
and reduce software licencing fees. The more memory a processor can
access at a time, the less it relies on information stored on a computer’s
disk drive.
- 64-bit computing is built to take advantage
of the 64-bit platform hardware enhancements. It offers higher levels
of single-system scalability for memory-intensive data applications
such as large-scale e-commerce operations, data warehousing, and analytics.
With the availability of servers that support up to 512 GB of RAM, 64-bit
platforms take advantage of the advanced memory addressing capability
to support the rapid growth of mission-critical applications and data
support demanded by today’s enterprises.
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The transition
The computer world is all geared up for the change from 32-bit to 64-bit computing.
“The only hitch is that programs will have to be rewritten and recompiled
in order to take full advantage of 64-bit computing,” remarks Anil Valluri,
Country Director, Client Solutions Organisation, Sun Microsystems India.
But the ability of current processors to accommodate both 32-bit code and 64-bit
code means that software itself can be rewritten gradually, with programmers
concentrating on the parts of the application that will benefit most from being
able to process more information in memory.
Worldwide, software developers have always been cautious while moving to new
platforms, but the new systems running both 64-bit and 32-bit programs have
helped bring about computing change rapidly.
vertika@expresscomputeronline.com
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